QUESTION Can ceftriaxone be given with artemether/lumefantrine for treatment of malaria? ANSWER As far as I know, there are no known interactions between cefriaxone and artemether/lumefantrine, and no specific contraindications. However, you should consult with a physician before taking both in combination. Also, since ceftriaxone is usually used to treat bacterial infections, it may … [Read more...]
Which Anti Malarial for South-East Asia?
QUESTION We are in our 70s and will be on a cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh. Which anti malarial would be most effective for these areas? ANSWER The main thing to consider when travelling to south-east Asia is that there are areas where some of the malaria is resistant to mefloquine (commonly sold as Lariam), and therefore this drug is not appropriate as an anti-malarial in these … [Read more...]
Malaria Deaths in the Tropics
QUESTION What's the difference of malaria deaths between the subtropical and tropical regions and all the other regions? ANSWER I am assuming you are asking about the distribution of deaths caused by malaria between the tropics/sub-tropics and the rest of the world. 95% percent of all fatal malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, which lies entirely in the sub-tropics and tropics. … [Read more...]
What happens after you get malaria?
QUESTION What are the after effects of malaria? ANSWER In almost all cases, if malaria is diagnosed accurately and treated promptly, patients make a full recovery with no after effects. In some cases of severe malaria, the disease can develop into cerebral malaria, which can result in impaired mental function, loss of consciousness and coma (and, if untreated, even death). Again, if … [Read more...]
How to get malaria?
QUESTION How do we get malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and they must have … [Read more...]
Lariam Side Effects
QUESTION How long does it take for the side effects of Lariam to disappear? ANSWER The manufacturers of Lariam report that it can take a "long" time for side effects to disappear, though they don't specify an exact time frame. While most people cease to experience side effects within a few days or weeks of stopping taking the drug (the half-life of the medication in the body is about … [Read more...]
Is it Malaria?
QUESTION I was in Zambia 3-4 weeks ago and had yellow fever shot and malaria pills. A week ago I got a severe headache. I suffer from migraines now and then but it wasn't one. The headache has not passed. 4 days ago I was feeling really ill. I was extremely tired and disorientated. I am nauseated, but not all the time. Have no appetite. I generally feel ill, like something isn't right. … [Read more...]
Malaria and Seizures
QUESTION Is it possible to contract malaria early in life and have a seizure 20 years later? ANSWER I think it is highly unlikely. There are only two types of malaria that can reoccur long after the initial infection (Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale) and neither of these usually results in seizure or other cerebral effects. Looking through the literature, I can only find one case of … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Malaria
QUESTION What are the symptoms of malaria? ANSWER Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the … [Read more...]
Timing of Malaria Microscopy
QUESTION Contrary to our past beliefs we came to know that malaria slides should be taken during afebrile periods when RBCs remain intact, enabling easier diagnosis of malarial parasites. Is this true? ANSWER That is a very interesting question, which I passed on to a diagnostic expert who serves as an advisor to Malaria.com. His response is as follows: Blood films should be … [Read more...]